Best place for cycling in the USA?
05-24-13, 12:23 PM
#51
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For me the weather is the first consideration. In most of the north it's too cold and miserable during the winter, and in most of the south it's too hot and miserable during the summer. The West Coast, top to bottom, is probably the best year-round biking weather.
05-24-13, 12:50 PM
#52
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San Diego County is great, but it does have one significant drawback which some riders may find intimidating. Because of topography and because of cost cutting in road construction, to get from Point A to Point B, one almost always has to use a prime arterial or similar high-speed road with high traffic volumes. In contrast, when I lived in the broad coastal plain of west central Los Angeles, I could generally plot a bicycle route through the well-connected network of quiet low speed residential streets, with only a few short links on the major boulevards.
Fortunately, motorists are accustomed to seeing bicyclists out on the roads at all hours and in all seasons, which is a good thing, but people tend to drive too fast and to yak on their cell phones. We have also had a fair number of DUI and asleep at the wheel tragedies this year.
The other problem where I live (north coastal San Diego County) is the Russian thistle plant, whose seed pods are the infamous goat head thorns. Moving here quickly forced me to give up tubular tires, which I had enjoyed for almost 10 years in Los Angeles.
(On that note, the western portions of Los Angeles are surprisingly good for bicycling. We didn't even own a car until my 4th year of grad school at UCLA, when we bought our first house, which was a real fixer in west central Los Angeles. My wife and I got along easily with only one car as long as we lived there, because I normally biked or walked and rode the bus to work and school.)
Fortunately, motorists are accustomed to seeing bicyclists out on the roads at all hours and in all seasons, which is a good thing, but people tend to drive too fast and to yak on their cell phones. We have also had a fair number of DUI and asleep at the wheel tragedies this year.
The other problem where I live (north coastal San Diego County) is the Russian thistle plant, whose seed pods are the infamous goat head thorns. Moving here quickly forced me to give up tubular tires, which I had enjoyed for almost 10 years in Los Angeles.
(On that note, the western portions of Los Angeles are surprisingly good for bicycling. We didn't even own a car until my 4th year of grad school at UCLA, when we bought our first house, which was a real fixer in west central Los Angeles. My wife and I got along easily with only one car as long as we lived there, because I normally biked or walked and rode the bus to work and school.)
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Last edited by John E; 05-24-13 at 12:55 PM.
05-24-13, 12:58 PM
#53
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RVa, baby. We've got a growing network of sharrows, a competent bike co-ordinator, an active community. Used to be craptacular, but has improved every year in the last ten (I've been here 30 years, riding all of them). And we've got cycing's world championships in 2015, which none of the other half-arsed cities mentioned have. Eat our dust, Portland. Plus, we've got the James.
05-24-13, 01:16 PM
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Hawaii is not bad, if only because all the cars can only go 20mph.
OP: you sure you don't want to include prevalence of bike thief as a factor too?
OP: you sure you don't want to include prevalence of bike thief as a factor too?
05-24-13, 02:07 PM
#55
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What place do you think is the best for cycling in US? SF Bay Area. I'm especially partial to teh East Bay, but it's all damn good.
In the big picture, considering:
Thriving bike culture
I probably forgot many more aspects. Fill in with what you think is important. How about general road conditions? I wouldn't call Bay Area roads perfect, but on the whole they are in good shape for riding.
Or how about trail conditions for off-road riding? Hey, mountain biking was invented here - there are some of the most legendary trails in the world here.
Traffic? While there are roads with a lot of traffic, there are also plenty of roads that have few cars. As mentioned above, the vast majority of the drivers are good about sharing the road.
Oh, and how about weather? Simply unbelieveable. In a wettest years, there are maybe three months in the winter where riding is problematic. In a dry year, you will miss a few weekends, but not many. Daytime high temperatures can be as low as 5-7*C in the winter and as high in the summer as 40*C in some inland parts of the area, but the coastal area is almost always a lot cooler than that, like somewhere around 15*C, and often foggy (the warmes time of year fro San Francisco proper and the coastal area is September and October). Bottom line - the weather is fit for riding at least 300 days a year, and usually more.
You can most likely not fit them all in one place, so some places will be better just because they are the center spot of all the others and have easy access to everything, but will have trade offs in other aspects.
Or you can take it like this; where would you recommend a foreign bike enthusiast to settle in the USA? San Francisco Bay Area. It isn't cheap, though - taxes are high and housing (whether buying or renting) is ridiculously expensive. The further you get away from San Fracisco itself, the better, but alomost everywhere else mentioned here will have a significantly lower cost of living except possibly the Los Angeles area and San Diego, and even they are probably cheaper, although not by a lot.
In the big picture, considering:
Thriving bike culture
- Enthusiasts - Only about a gazillion
- Shops - Many, including some of the best you will find anywhere
- Mechanics - Ditto
- Builders - You betcha. Litton, Mikkelson, Eisentraut (more or less retired, but he may still be building a few), Gordon, Rivendell, Ebisu, and those are just what comes immediately to mind - there are more. Calfee and Volagi are at the fringes of the Bay Area and so not at all far away, if CF is your thing
- Painters - Ed Litton.
- (Manufacturing) Not sure what you mean here. Specialized's in Gilroy, not far south of San Jose (okay, they import rather than manufacture here, but it still sort of counts). Phil Wood is in the South Bay. Again, I know I;m missing plenty
- Clubs - Tons of 'em. Touring clubs. Racing clubs. Randonneur clubs. Smell-the-roses-and-coffee-cake clubs. Road bike clubs. Mountain bike clubs. Advocacy clubs. On any given weekend, you can't swing a dead cat around here without htiing someone on a club ride.
- Beautiful scenery / country roads for longer rides. - Absolutely. This is God's country for a wide variety of pretty scenery. Trees, wide open spaces, rolling hills, flatlands, long sustained climbs with scenic overlooks - yeah, we got that.
- Good conditions for commuting by bike. Mixed bag, but mostly good. The main thing is that drivers are, for the most part, pretty civilized. Not perfect, but a lot more used to dealing with cyclists than most parts. Bike access to public transportation is pretty good, and is expanding.
- Competitions - NorCal has long been and remains a hotbed for racing. You want to race? We gotcha covered.
- Exhibitions - Not sure how this differs from Shows & Swap Meets, and we certainly have a fair number of those
- Shows and swap meets - Ditto
I probably forgot many more aspects. Fill in with what you think is important. How about general road conditions? I wouldn't call Bay Area roads perfect, but on the whole they are in good shape for riding.
Or how about trail conditions for off-road riding? Hey, mountain biking was invented here - there are some of the most legendary trails in the world here.
Traffic? While there are roads with a lot of traffic, there are also plenty of roads that have few cars. As mentioned above, the vast majority of the drivers are good about sharing the road.
Oh, and how about weather? Simply unbelieveable. In a wettest years, there are maybe three months in the winter where riding is problematic. In a dry year, you will miss a few weekends, but not many. Daytime high temperatures can be as low as 5-7*C in the winter and as high in the summer as 40*C in some inland parts of the area, but the coastal area is almost always a lot cooler than that, like somewhere around 15*C, and often foggy (the warmes time of year fro San Francisco proper and the coastal area is September and October). Bottom line - the weather is fit for riding at least 300 days a year, and usually more.
You can most likely not fit them all in one place, so some places will be better just because they are the center spot of all the others and have easy access to everything, but will have trade offs in other aspects.
Or you can take it like this; where would you recommend a foreign bike enthusiast to settle in the USA? San Francisco Bay Area. It isn't cheap, though - taxes are high and housing (whether buying or renting) is ridiculously expensive. The further you get away from San Fracisco itself, the better, but alomost everywhere else mentioned here will have a significantly lower cost of living except possibly the Los Angeles area and San Diego, and even they are probably cheaper, although not by a lot.
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05-24-13, 02:41 PM
#56
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I think you're actually a bit pessimistic about weather in the bay area! I've even contemplated taking fenders off of my bikes! I moved here in July, 2012, most recently from Albuquerque, NM, but I've also lived in Arkansas and Pennsylvania. This place is just barely wet enough to sustain life and the temperatures are extremely mild, but change just enough to have seasons. Lots of amazing day trips to beaches in the south, SF, all the little cities in the southern peninsula.
Yeah, Specialized and Bell Helmets are in Morgan Hill, which is nice riding country, and Look's American subsidiary or whatever is located near me in deep south San Jose.
It is true that the cost of living is ridiculous. All the online calculators told me I'd end up paying 3x the rent that I did in Albuquerque to compensate, and I did, but I guess the "average" home here is much nicer than anywhere else I've ever lived. Here I get "wood inspired" flooring, in-unit laundry and an extra bathroom by comparison. The place I live in would probably be about double the cost if it were north of here, towards SF, and triple or so in SF itself...
I love Berkeley, too. I just helped a buddy move there last weekend. The east side of the bay is about 25% cheaper than here in SJ, which is why I'm hoping I get the job I'm in the running for in Fremont, which looks to have great riding, too.
Yeah, Specialized and Bell Helmets are in Morgan Hill, which is nice riding country, and Look's American subsidiary or whatever is located near me in deep south San Jose.
It is true that the cost of living is ridiculous. All the online calculators told me I'd end up paying 3x the rent that I did in Albuquerque to compensate, and I did, but I guess the "average" home here is much nicer than anywhere else I've ever lived. Here I get "wood inspired" flooring, in-unit laundry and an extra bathroom by comparison. The place I live in would probably be about double the cost if it were north of here, towards SF, and triple or so in SF itself...
I love Berkeley, too. I just helped a buddy move there last weekend. The east side of the bay is about 25% cheaper than here in SJ, which is why I'm hoping I get the job I'm in the running for in Fremont, which looks to have great riding, too.
05-24-13, 03:01 PM
#57
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Likely going to upset some natives...
There is a reason that Colorado's front range is so popular. It doesn't snow as much as you think. You only hear about the big storms that happen a few times a year. What you don't here is that the day before it snowed 2 feet, it was 65+ degrees with clear skies. Literally this year we have gone from near 80 degree weather to 8 inches of snow in 36 hours. The other thing you don't hear, is the roads are clear the day after the storm.
There are also some brutally cold days, not going to lie.
There is a reason that Colorado's front range is so popular. It doesn't snow as much as you think. You only hear about the big storms that happen a few times a year. What you don't here is that the day before it snowed 2 feet, it was 65+ degrees with clear skies. Literally this year we have gone from near 80 degree weather to 8 inches of snow in 36 hours. The other thing you don't hear, is the roads are clear the day after the storm.
There are also some brutally cold days, not going to lie.
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1959 Bottecchia Milano-Sanremo(frame), 1966 Bottecchia Professional (frame), 1971 Bottecchia Professional (frame),
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1974 Peugeot UO-8, 1988 Panasonic PT-3500, 2002 Bianchi Veloce, 2004 Bianchi Pista
1959 Bottecchia Milano-Sanremo(frame), 1966 Bottecchia Professional (frame), 1971 Bottecchia Professional (frame),
1973 Bottecchia Gran Turismo, 1974 Bottecchia Special, 1977 Bottecchia Special (frame),
1974 Peugeot UO-8, 1988 Panasonic PT-3500, 2002 Bianchi Veloce, 2004 Bianchi Pista
05-24-13, 03:03 PM
#58
Senior Member
I wonder what the correlation is between people's opinions about where cycling is best, and where they live. So far if you plot the two pieces of data on two axes, you'll get a near linear line.
I live in the Boston area, and in terms of culture (enthusiasts, mechanic, shops, builders, cycling cafes and clubs, etc), sure we've got that in droves-- legendary shops like Harris Cyclery, Wheelworks, Landry's, Broadway Bikes, etc; legendary builders like Peter Mooney, Independent Fabrication, ANT, Eiglehart, Richard Sachs, Peter Weigle (close by in CT), and dozens of younger builders rapidly rising to prominence; clubs like Charles River Wheelmen, Ride Studio Cafe, New England Randonneurs and the Boston Brevet series, etc.
And we have some great scenery and routes, too. But not having cycled outside of the northeast, I'd have to say my favorite areas within the northeast, strictly for riding, are not in the Boston area; rather they are VT, Western MA, and upstate NY (Catskill mtns).
I live in the Boston area, and in terms of culture (enthusiasts, mechanic, shops, builders, cycling cafes and clubs, etc), sure we've got that in droves-- legendary shops like Harris Cyclery, Wheelworks, Landry's, Broadway Bikes, etc; legendary builders like Peter Mooney, Independent Fabrication, ANT, Eiglehart, Richard Sachs, Peter Weigle (close by in CT), and dozens of younger builders rapidly rising to prominence; clubs like Charles River Wheelmen, Ride Studio Cafe, New England Randonneurs and the Boston Brevet series, etc.
And we have some great scenery and routes, too. But not having cycled outside of the northeast, I'd have to say my favorite areas within the northeast, strictly for riding, are not in the Boston area; rather they are VT, Western MA, and upstate NY (Catskill mtns).
Last edited by southpawboston; 05-24-13 at 03:14 PM.
05-24-13, 03:15 PM
#59
Still learning
There's a huge difference in housing costs between the different regions discussed, by a factor of 500% or more in some cases, so maybe you should figure that into your selection. Also, the basics like urban vs. suburban, mountain vs. beaches, 12 months of warm weather vs. four seasons, rolling hills vs flat terrain, availability of employment, etc.
If ranked by number of bike shops, I hear the Amish Country around Ohio has many bike shops, since they rely on bicycles and there are no cars among the Amish.
And if you want the biggest and fastest hills, upstate NY in the Keene Adirondack region has em. The Lake Placid Ironman has the steepest and fastest bike terrain. Also ski jumping if you're into that!
If ranked by number of bike shops, I hear the Amish Country around Ohio has many bike shops, since they rely on bicycles and there are no cars among the Amish.
And if you want the biggest and fastest hills, upstate NY in the Keene Adirondack region has em. The Lake Placid Ironman has the steepest and fastest bike terrain. Also ski jumping if you're into that!
05-24-13, 04:15 PM
#60
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I can vouch that San Diego has the best overall year-round weather in the United States.
There's some growing bike culture here. If you live around the urban core neighborhoods (North Park, South Park, Hillcrest, University Heights, etc) it's pretty damn bikeable for utility cycling too. The car has been king here for a long time and it still is, but things are slowly improving for alternative transportation with some local cycling advocacy efforts. There are some amazingly scenic rides in east county, but you need to be prepared to climb a lot since there are a lot of mountains. It's also pretty nice being able to ride your bike from home into another country for a social ride (Tijuana's Paseo de Todos) and back in a single evening. From what I've seen, there are some pretty cool opportunities for touring in baja as well.
As far as bike culture and infrastructure, from what I have seen Portland has everywhere beat hands down. We're considering moving there, but I'm still not sure if I could deal with the long, gray, soggy winters.
There's some growing bike culture here. If you live around the urban core neighborhoods (North Park, South Park, Hillcrest, University Heights, etc) it's pretty damn bikeable for utility cycling too. The car has been king here for a long time and it still is, but things are slowly improving for alternative transportation with some local cycling advocacy efforts. There are some amazingly scenic rides in east county, but you need to be prepared to climb a lot since there are a lot of mountains. It's also pretty nice being able to ride your bike from home into another country for a social ride (Tijuana's Paseo de Todos) and back in a single evening. From what I've seen, there are some pretty cool opportunities for touring in baja as well.
As far as bike culture and infrastructure, from what I have seen Portland has everywhere beat hands down. We're considering moving there, but I'm still not sure if I could deal with the long, gray, soggy winters.
05-24-13, 04:31 PM
#61
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This is a great thread. I have lived in a few places including Phoenix, SoCal, central cal, Phoenix, Durango, New Mexico, New York, Connecticut and VT. I have ridden a lot everywhere but the southeast. I honestly would have a hard time picking the best. I have great memories from all those places. In some respects, it balances out because being on a bike or at least near bikes adds a certain sparkle to anything. Once that is in order the rest is academic.
05-24-13, 06:31 PM
#62
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New. York. City.
You gotta problem wit' dat?
Now we got bike lanes to go with the 1.5 million enthusiasts, 5000 bike stores, couple dozen builders, four big bridges, miles of waterfront, three great parks, hordes of pedestrians to dodge and cabbies who want to kill you. You can be cursed out in 475 languages and run over by every vehicle from fur-covered Isettas to million-dollar McLarens. Collide with electrically enhanced bicycle delivery men riding the wrong way carrying everything from squid to laundry. Wreck your wheels in our award-winning, internationally famous potholes. Splash through reeking puddles of effluent in front of our many public sanitation depots.
NYC is my favorite place to ride. Scares the daylights out of me sometimes, but the variety and vitality of the city makes me feel alive. A bike is the fastest way to get around town, and gives an excellent vantage point. Riding in New York is exhilarating, often terrifying and never boring.
Your mileage will almost certainly vary...
You gotta problem wit' dat?
Now we got bike lanes to go with the 1.5 million enthusiasts, 5000 bike stores, couple dozen builders, four big bridges, miles of waterfront, three great parks, hordes of pedestrians to dodge and cabbies who want to kill you. You can be cursed out in 475 languages and run over by every vehicle from fur-covered Isettas to million-dollar McLarens. Collide with electrically enhanced bicycle delivery men riding the wrong way carrying everything from squid to laundry. Wreck your wheels in our award-winning, internationally famous potholes. Splash through reeking puddles of effluent in front of our many public sanitation depots.
NYC is my favorite place to ride. Scares the daylights out of me sometimes, but the variety and vitality of the city makes me feel alive. A bike is the fastest way to get around town, and gives an excellent vantage point. Riding in New York is exhilarating, often terrifying and never boring.
Your mileage will almost certainly vary...
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05-24-13, 06:49 PM
#63
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05-24-13, 07:05 PM
#64
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This thread is much better than I expected. I love everyone's perspective. I resumed riding in NYC a couple of years ago, now that I've been visiting a lot. Riding there is invigorating. I got tired of it last time I lived there. But we have a car now, so we'll be able to escape when we want ... to the Hudson River Valley! Woohoo!
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05-24-13, 07:18 PM
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All things considered, San Diego and environs has to be tops, Phoenix/Tucson close behind, in that order. It's all about weather, roads and scenery. Those places have all that going for them.
As nice as other places are in the Summer, come January - February, I'd rather be in PHX.
As nice as other places are in the Summer, come January - February, I'd rather be in PHX.
05-24-13, 09:15 PM
#67
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Right, and the west coast from top to bottom is also very expensive to live. You pay for that weather.
05-24-13, 09:31 PM
#68
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This thread is much better than I expected. I love everyone's perspective. I resumed riding in NYC a couple of years ago, now that I've been visiting a lot. Riding there is invigorating. I got tired of it last time I lived there. But we have a car now, so we'll be able to escape when we want ... to the Hudson River Valley! Woohoo!
05-24-13, 09:43 PM
#69
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None of you have the Almanzo 100!
We do, so there.
Easily, the most grueling gravel road race I've ever done.
Till I went fly fishing for German Brown trout the same day.
More pics.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/3627000...th/8752939941/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/craigli...th/8760848684/
We do, so there.
Easily, the most grueling gravel road race I've ever done.
Till I went fly fishing for German Brown trout the same day.
More pics.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/3627000...th/8752939941/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/craigli...th/8760848684/
Last edited by gomango; 05-24-13 at 09:56 PM.
05-24-13, 09:54 PM
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MN has a lot going for it. Every type of riding and plenty of wide open spaces to do it. Almanzo made me fall in love with this state all over again!
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05-24-13, 10:12 PM
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I rode 90 miles of it solo at a cruising pace. Next year I'll bring a faster bike and ride in a group. My poor Troll did great, but it was way overloaded. Gave me more time to enjoy the beauty of this fine state!
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Jason
Jason
05-24-13, 10:23 PM
#73
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: San Diego
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Bikes: Too many to list, all titanium or steel.
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The CEO of my company would come visit from Connecticut every two or three months, and when we had a chance we'd go out for a ride together and every time he'd say to me something like..."you have no idea how lucky you are to have a place like this to ride on a daily basis, there are only a handfull of places in the world with this scenery and temperate climate". I guess I was taking it for granted, but I'm trying not to do so anymore.
05-24-13, 10:39 PM
#74
Insane Bicycle Mechanic
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: other Vancouver
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This is a great thread. I have lived in a few places including Phoenix, SoCal, central cal, Phoenix, Durango, New Mexico, New York, Connecticut and VT. I have ridden a lot everywhere but the southeast. I honestly would have a hard time picking the best. I have great memories from all those places. In some respects, it balances out because being on a bike or at least near bikes adds a certain sparkle to anything. Once that is in order the rest is academic.
And scenery? This is an easy ride from downtown Portland:
I grew up in Southern California. What passes for scenery is rented- they put mountains up there every month or two to convince people that it's not possible to leave. Then they put up smug (ugly smog) so you can't see that the mountains aren't there anymore.
Portland is a little pricey, but Vantucky (across the river) is pretty affordable. My wife and I have been here 17 years, and everything is paid off: house, cars, cats, etc. Year-round riding is easy if you have fenders.
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Jeff Wills
Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
Jeff Wills
Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
Last edited by Jeff Wills; 05-27-13 at 11:13 PM.
05-24-13, 10:54 PM
#75
vintage motor
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico
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OK, what would be the best place in the world for a cyclist to live? (Assuming you can get a visa, pay the rent, etc.)
The first place that popped into my mind was southern France: nice weather, beautiful and varied scenery, great food, in the middle of the vintage bike universe, and people just know how to live well there.
The first place that popped into my mind was southern France: nice weather, beautiful and varied scenery, great food, in the middle of the vintage bike universe, and people just know how to live well there.